SSI designs giant water scheme in Lesotho

Sept. 3, 2008

In Lesotho a giant water scheme has been initiated to address the increasing domestic, industrial and institutional water needs of the lowland districts. The Lowlands Water Joint Venture, headed up by SSI, with input from DHV, has been awarded a contract for the detail design of this bulk water supply scheme. One of the government's Millennium Development Goals is to reduce the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation...

MASERU, Lesotho, Sept. 3, 2008 -- In Lesotho a giant water scheme has been initiated to address the increasing domestic, industrial and institutional water needs of the lowland districts. The Lowlands Water Joint Venture, headed up by SSI, with input from DHV, has been awarded a contract for the detail design of this bulk water supply scheme.

One of the government's Millennium Development Goals is to reduce the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. The 18-month detail design phase is the second of the four-phase project and includes reviewing water demands in the area, reviewing the hydrology of river sources, confirming water demand and projected water requirements, conducting geotechnical and environmental surveys and consulting with public interest groups.

Historically, many Lesotho towns and rural settlements have relied on a mix of surface water and groundwater, although groundwater represents only 10% of total urban water consumption. Two urban settlements only use groundwater as their water supply.

###